Cardboard display device



March 2, 1943. J. v. HORR CARDBOARD DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Oct. 28, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 v INVENTOR. do/wv V. HORRJ AT RNEYS.

March 2, 1943.

J. v. HORR CARDBOARD DISPLAY DEVICE Filed octqzs. 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 INVENTOR. L/OH/V 1/. HQRR.

A ORNEYS.

March 2, 1943. J. v. HORR CARDBOARD DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Oct. 28, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 1N VENTOR. dohw V. Hon/z. M 7' I ATT EYS.

Patented Mar. 2, 1943 bits stares CARDBOARD DISPLAY DEVKCE J ohn V. Horr, Hastings on Hudson, N. Y., assignor to Einson-Freeman 00., Inc., Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application October 28-, 1940, Serial No. 363,114

1 Claim.

My present invention relates generally to display devices, and has particular reference to a cardboard display device of the type which is primarily adapted for use in store windows and on counters.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved display device, which is adapted to be inexpensively manufactured from flat cardboard stock, or its equivalent, and which embodies an unusual ability to be shipped flat and to spring automatically into set-up condition.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide certain improvements in a display device of the character in which there is a main display area surrounded by a beveled border portion. The border may be beveled rearwardly in substantially the manner illustrated and described in U. S. Patent 2,055,201, in which case a pleasing three-dimensional effect is produced; or the border may be inclined forwardly to produce a frame-like efiect. In either case, the device consists essentially of a main display area and trapezoidal panels hinged to the edges of said area and conjointly adapted, when inclined to the plane of said area, to define a beveled border for the device.

It is a particular feature of my invention to provide a special elastic means which is arranged behind the trapezoidal border panels, and which serves yieldably to urge them into the inclined positions. Preferably, the elastic means consists of one or more ordinary rubber bands, and the structure and assembly are of such a character that the device may be optionally adjusted into a substantially flat condition, or allowed to spring automatically into a set-up condition.

Other features of my invention relate to improved means for rigidifying and strengthening the structure, to various ways of associating the elastic means with the cardboard structure, and to a means for assuring proper relative disposition of the parts at all times.

I achieve the foregoing objects and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1' is a perspective view, from the front, of a display device constructed in accordance with the present invention; I

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device of Figure 1, viewed from the front, when in collapsed or flattened condition;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view, from the rear, of one of the corners of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentaryplan view of the portion shown in Figure 5, when the device is in flattened condition;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the corner portion shown in Figures 5 and 6, with the parts completely flattened out, to show their formation from a single blank of material;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 5 illustrating a modification;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the structure of Figure 8, shown in flattened condition;

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssectional view taken substantially along the line |0l0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figures 5 and 8, showing a further modification;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary plan view of the structure shown in Figure 11, when in flattened condition;

Figure 13 is a plan view of the structure of Figures 11 and 12, with the parts in completely flat relationship to show their formation from a single blank of material; and

Figure 14 is a fragmentary enlarged crosssectional view taken substantially along the line |4-l4 of Figure 11.

For illustrative purposes, I have chosen to illustrate a display device which has a main display area of substantially rectangular shape,

' and which is provided with trapezoidal panels adapted to be inclined forwardly to form a sort of frame-like border for the device. I have omitted, from the present drawings, the disclosure of any easel or prop for supporting the device in substantially upright condition, although it will be understood that any suitable supporting structure may be associated with the device, where desired.

The main display area 20, shown from the front in Figures 1 and 2, and from the rear in' Figures 5, 6, and 7, is hingedly connected at its edges, to the trapezoidal border panels 2|, 22, 23, and 24. The end edges of these panels are formed at suitable angles so that when the panels are inclined out of the plane of the main area 20, these end edges will come into substantial abutment and form a suitable joint. Preferably, the end edges of the trapezoidal panels are all made of equal length, so that the beveled border is continuous and of substantially uniformwidth throughout its extent.

A rearwardly disposed flap is hinged to the outer edge of each panel. The flap 25, hinged to the panel 2 l, is shown most clearly in Figures 5, 6, and 7. The flap 26, hinged to the panel 24, is shown most clearly in Figures 5, 6, and '7, and also in Figures 3 and 4. A flap 21, corresponding to the flap 26, is hinged to the outer edge of the panel 22, as shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 4. The flap that is hinged to the outer edge of the panel 23, and which corresponds to the flap 25, does not show in the present drawings.

A description of the upper lefthand corner of the device shown in Figure 1 will sufiice to explain the features of the present invention, and it will be understood that the other corners are similarly formed and constructed. Accordingly, while I shall hereinafter refer in detail only to the elements of this particular corner of the display device, it is to be understood that the structure at the other corners of the device is of corresponding character.

Referring now to Figure 7, it will be observed that the main display area 28 the panels 2| and 24, and the flaps 25 and 26, are preferably integral portions of a single blank of cardboard or the like. This blank is cut to define the oblique end edges 28 and 29 on the panels 2| and 24 respectively, and to define the oppositely-angled end edges 38 and 3| on the flaps 25 and 26. The panels 2| and 24 are hinged to the area 23 along the edges 32 and 33, respectively, and the flaps .25 and 26 are, respectively, hinged to the outer edges 34 and 35 of the panels 2| and 24. The hinge line 34 is preferably parallel to the hinge line 32 and the sarne'parallel relationship preferably exists between the hinge lines 35 and 33. Also, the outer edges 35 and 31 of the flaps 25 and 28, respectively, are preferably parallel to the inner edges of these'flaps, as shown.

The widths of the flaps 25 and 26 may be considerably less than the widths of the corresponding panels 2| and 24.

Along the edge 36 of the flap 25 I provide a fiap extension 38, and along the edge 3| of the flap 26 I provide the fiap extension 39; In the latter, I prefer to provide an opening 46, an d a slit 4| connecting this opening to the edge. Slightly spaced from the edge 3| I provide a curved slot 42 in the flap 25 preferably terminating in openings 43, this slot defining an integral tab 44. A similar tab 45 is formed in the flap 25 by means of the curved slot 45, which preferably terminates in the openings 4?.

After the blank of cardboard has been cut, shaped, and scored, as indicated in Figure 7,the flaps 25 and 26 are folded rearwardly into the positions shown in Figure 6. An elastic means is then associated with the cardboard structure, as shown most clearly in Figure 6; This elastic means is preferably in the form of an ordinary elastic band 48, which may be very easily hooked around the tabs 44 and 45, so that it engages and stretches between these flaps, thereby tending to draw the panels 2| and 24 yieldably into the inclined positions shown in Figures 1, 3, and 5.

In accordance with my present invention, the elastic band 43 is also caused to be passed through the, slot 4| into the opening 48, whereby it is arranged to exert at least a part of its pulling effect in the outer region of the joint between the panels 2| and 24.

After the insertion of the elastic band 48, the

the flap 54.

device tends automatically to spring into the position of Figures 1, 3, and 5. As the panels 2| and 24 assume their inclined positions, the adjacent ends 28 and 29 are guided into mutual abutment by means of the extensions 38 and 39. That is, the edges 29 and 3| encounter and abut the extension 38, while the edges 28 and 30 encounter and abut the extension 39; and when this takes place, the edges 28 and 29 are automatically retained in mutually abutting rela tionship.

The rearwardly disposed flaps 25 and 26 serve not only as convenient concealed anchorages for the elastic means, but also as reinforcements for the panels 2| and 24, adding staunchness and rigidityto the structure. They may also serve as convenient connecting means for a prop or easel, or for a string or band by means of which the device may be suspended, if desired.

One of the outstanding features of the present construction lies in the fact that the device springs automatically into its set-up condition requiring no manipulations or adjustments, on the part of the user, to accomplish this purpose. Furthermore, without releasing or disengaging any of the parts, the device is allowed to be adjusted, merely by a slight pressure, into the substantially flat condition shown in Figures 4 and 6. Accordingly, when the device is manufactured it may be packed and shipped in this substantially fiat condition, and it will be ready for immediate use the moment it isunpacked.

In Figures 8, 9, and 10 I have illustrated a modified structure in which the extensions 38 and 39 are omitted. In this case, as before, the main display area 58 is hinged at its edges to the trapezoidal border panels 5 I and 52, and these, in turn, are hinged to the rearwardly disposed flaps 53 and 54, respectively. As before, the flap 53 is provided with a curved slot 55 defining an integral tab 56 around which the elastic element 51 may be engaged; and the flap 54 is provided with a curved slot 58 defining an integral tab 59 around which another portion of the elastic band 51 may be engaged. To allow the elastic band 51 to exert at least a portion of its effect upon the outer region of the joint between the panels 5| and 52, and also to assure proper mutual abutment of the end edges 68 and 6| of the panels 5| and 52, respectively, the elastic element 51 is caused to enter into openings 62 and 63. The opening 62 is formed in the flap 53, near its end edge, and is conected with this edge by means of the curved slot 64. The opening 63is formed in the flap 54, near its end edge, and is connected to this edge by means of the curved slot 65.

This arrangement of parts disposes th elastic band 51 in sandwiched relation between the panel 5| and the flap 53, and between the panel 52 and This relationship is shown most clearly in Figure 10. Because of it, the end edges 68 and 6| are always properly guided into mutual abutment.

This modified structure, as in the previous case, is adapted to be shipped in substantially flat condition, as shown in Figur 9, and is adapted to spring automatically into the set-up condition, shown most clearly in Figure 8, as soon as it is ready for use. I

In Figures 11-14, I have illustrated a further modification, in which the mutual abutment of the end edges of the trapezoidal panels is controlled in a slightly different manner. As in the embodiments hereinbefore described, a main display area 18 is hinged along its edges to the trapezoidal border panels 1| and I2, and these panels are, in turn, hinged to the flaps i3 and 14, respectively. A curved slot 15 is formed in the flap 13, to define a tab 16 around which a rubber band 11 is engageable. A similar curved slot 18 defines an integral tab 19 in the flap 14, to permit engagement of another portion of the elastic band 11.

Formed between the end edges 30 and 8| of the panels H and 12, respectively, is a pleat 82. This pleat may, if desired, form an integral portion of the single cardboard blank from which the entire device is formed, including the main display area '10, the panels H and I2, and the flaps 13 and 14. The pleat consists, in essence, of a web of material extending between the edges 80 and 8! and provided not only with a medial hinge lin 83, but also with the hinge lines 84 and 85 aligned, respectively, with the edges 80 and 8 I.

After the cardboard blank has been cut, shaped, and properly scored, as indicated in Figure 13, the flaps l3 and M are folded rearwardly into the positions of Figure 12 'and the elastic band 11 is then engaged with the tabs 16 and 19. To allow this elastic member to exert at least a part of its pull at the outer region of the joint between the panels TI and I2, th pleat 82 has its outer edge shaped to define a hook portion 86, whereby the corresponding portion of the rubber band I1 may be engaged around this hook, as indicated in Figures 11 and 12. When the parts are thus associated, the device tends automatically to spring into the positions shown in Figures 11 and 14, in which the pleat 82 is rearwardly disposed. The provision of this pleat serves automatically to guide the adjacent edges 8!! and 8| into proper mutual abutment at all times.

As in the case of the structure hereinbefore illustrated and described, the device of Figures 11-14 is adapted to be collapsed into the substantially fiat condition of Figure 12, in which condition it may be packed, shipped, or stored. When it is ready for use, the device springs by itself into the position of Figure 11.

In all of the structures herein illustrated, it will be observed that the elastic element extends across the joint between adjacent border panels, and is thus interposed diagonally between each pair of adjacent panels. Under certain circumstances, the elastic members of the display device may be arranged in other relationships to the of the present invention is in each case adapted to exert at least a portion of its yiel-dable pull in the outermost region of each joint. This is not essential in all cases, but is preferable, because it assures a reliable and firm pulling action at the corner portions of the device.

,4 In general, it will be undertsood that those In a cardboard display device, a main display area, trapezoidal panels hinged to the edges of said area, the hinged edge of each panel being shorter than the outer edge thereof and the base angles of said panels being such that by bringing their adjacent ends substantially into mutual abutment said panels will be inclinedto the plane of said area and will define a beveled border for i said area, rearwardly disposed flaps hinged to the outer edges of said panels, elastic means engaging said flaps and interconnecting them to draw the panels yieldably into said inclined positions, and means for guiding the adjacent ends of said panels into mutual abutment, said last-named means comprising an extension on the end of each flap adapted to be encountered by the end edge of the adjacent flap.

JOHN V. HORR. 

